WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2941, 21 May 1891, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

The monthly meeting of the Cambridge branch of the above Club was held on Monday evening, when there were present: Messrs G. E. Clark (chairman), John Fisher, J. Atlwill, J. Anderson, L. Edson, R. Fisher, S. Seddon, W. Souter, R. Reynolds, C. Bull, J. Fisher, jnn., J. Forrest, IX Caley, A. L. Souter, Jas. Taylor, H. R. Hyatt, and J. Dalgleish—The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Nkw Membeiis.—lt was resolved that anyone elected a member of the Club at this meeting should not be expected to pay for the small portion of the financial year unexpired.—Mr I>. Garland was then duly elected. A Pkrsonal Matter. —Mr Jas. Forrest challenged our report of the last meeting, when the discussion, re the dairy cow, took place, and stated it was incorrect in that portion where he was reported to have given his experience of dairying. Ho had nover gone in for dairying, and therefore could not give his experience of it. The remarks he made were based upon Mr Runciman's statements, and the figures he quoted were likewise taken from Mr Runcimnn.—The chairman and several others said they had understood Mr Forrest as reported, while the vice-chairman took his (Mr Forrest's) remarks to apply to Mr Runciman's experience of dairying.—We are pleased to find that the lamentable picture of dairying drawn by Mr Forrest at the last meeting was not the result of his experience, and wo hasten to make the amende honorable by admitting that wo misunderstood him, as did also many of those who were present.

Potash. —Messrs W. S. Laurie and Co. forwarded iv number of circulars treating of the value of potash as a manure.—They were distributed amongst the members.

Thr Tax ui'ON Stallion's. —The chairman read the circular, re this matter, received from the Stock Department (which we have already published), and said the committee had written enquiring if tho Government intended to include both European and Maori horses, hut to this no reply had been received. He thought it a very important matter, and trusted it would be well ventilated. If the Government proposed levying the tax simply to raise revenue then the farmers should oppose it; but if, on the other hand, the money so raised was to be devoted to placing good stallions in the various districts and subsidising them, then it would be to the interest of farmers to encourage tho movement. The present Ministry were evidently trying "to get their name up," aud if the retrenchment movement was genuine the farmers should support ii ; and if the breed of horses would be improved by a tax on stallions he thought the farmers should also support that, for though the owners of stallions would have have to pay tho tax, the breeders would indirectly have to pay the amount, and perhaps much more. —Mr J. Fisher thought they could not do much in the matter till they had received a reply from the Government as to the method they proposed adopting in levying the tax. Subsidising good horses to travel would be no great benefit unless the Government got rid of tho Maori " weeds," as the tax would shut out the low class horses, and there would always be people who would send their mares to Maori horses in preference to paying for a good bred one.—The Chairman asked if the Government did not subsidise stallions in the Old Country.—Mr Anderson thought it was done by societies and not by the Government.—Mr J. A'lwill said tho English farmeis in certain districts usually joined together and subsidised a horse to travel in that district, and he had to remain there for the season. In France the Government, he believed, had entire control, aud decided what horses shoi-ld be used and where they should travel. If taxing stallions was to do the farmer any good, it must be such a tax as would prohibit inferior animals being used. The owner of a bad horse could pay a i'lo tax as easily as the owner of a good one, as, after the season was over, the bad horse would be turned out to graze, while the good one had to be stabled and fed, and a man kept to look after it.—Mr Seddon enquired how the Maori horses could be dealt with.—Several members replied, " Shoot them if they are n?t paid for."—Mr Forrest moved, " That this Club is in favour of a tax upon stal> lions only upon the understanding that such tax shall only be used in providing premiums for first-class stallions to stand in central districts at a fixed fee.—Mr J. Fisher opposed the resolution. He thought tho farmers were t*o much taxed already.— Mr Allwill wondered how the tax would be collected. Would it be the means of creating an officer at £300 per annum ? It the money wasto be squandered in that manmer they would be better without the tax. If such a tax was imposed, it should be upon all entires of two years old and upwards.—Mr R. Fisher said no one would pay t'lo for a colt that was no good, and consequently the breed would be improved. —Several members spoke for and against the motion, and Mr Forrest altered it so as to include all entires of two years old aud upwards, both European and Maori.—Mr .1. 1 isher thought they were acting precipitately, as they had not yet had a reply from the Government, and he moved an amendment: "That the matter be adjourned till the next monthly meeting."— The motion was carried, and the Secretary was instructed to forward a copy of the resolution to the Government through the Chief Inspector of Stock. llohsk Snow. —Several matters in connection with the horse show to bo held in Septomber were discussed, after which the meeting broko up.